Hadrian's Wall is one of Europe's most famous UNESCO-listed monuments and one of the largest surviving relics of the Roman Empire in all of Europe.

A popular hiking trail runs along the entire length of Hadrian's Wall, offering breathtaking views of the open countryside of the border between England and Scotland.

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The length and purpose of Hadrian's Wall

When the Roman Empire expanded into what is now the British Isles, it had long faced marauding raids by northern tribes from Scotland.

During the reign of the Emperor Hadrian, it was therefore decided to build a monumental defensive wall running the full width of the island.

Hadrian's Wall began in the present-day city of Newcastle on the North Sea coast and ended near Carlisle on the Irish Sea coast.

The total length of Hadrian's Wall was 117 km (73 miles).

Hadrian's Wall was begun in 122 BC and took only 6-7 years to build. 17 fortresses and dozens of watchtowers were built along the wall. It is estimated that the total military garrison was around 9,000 men.

Hadrian's Wall was built in a place where it made good use of the terrain. In fact, in many sections there are high stone cliffs that completely replace the rampart and saved considerable material and labour.

What remains of Hadrian's Wall today?

The fortification was in use throughout the Roman Empire's presence in the British Isles, up to AD 410.

Since then it has been a decaying source of stone for over 1300 years. From the 17th century, local enthusiasts and later archaeologists gradually began to take notice of the historic structure.

Today, you will not see the fortifications at their original height anywhere on the entire route, but especially the surrounding area, which runs outside the major cities, is extremely well preserved and is one of the most valuable monuments of the Roman Empire in Europe.

Hadrian's Wall Path - a famous hiking route

One of the most visited hiking trails in Britain today, Hadrian's Wall Path, runs along the entirety of the original fortifications.

For an official description and map of the route, visit nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrians-wall-path.

The total length of the trail is 135km, as it follows a longer route in a few places where the wall has not been well preserved.

Which section do we recommend?

Hadrian's Wall is not well preserved along its original length. The western end of it around Carlisle has the least remnants and we would omit this section altogether.

At the eastern end you will find remnants of Segedunum Fort in Newcastle, but the complete wall runs up to about Heddon-on-the-Wall. Much of it from Heddon to the village of Walwick, however, is along the road.

The most visited and most beautiful part is the middle section, which runs along several rock masses and also contains the highest point of the whole of Hadrian's Wall, Winshields Crags at over 300 metres above sea level.

The most beautiful part of Hadrian's Wall is between Housesteads Fort and the former Walltown quarry near the village of Greenhead.

Because Hadrian's Wall runs at its highest point in this part, there are breathtaking and far-reaching views across the plains of northern England.

Difficulty of the route

The path along Hadrian's Wall is generally comfortable and well maintained, but can be very muddy and slippery when wet.

Although the path often goes up very steep hills, the ascents or descents are short and the path can be managed by less experienced travellers.

Most of the route follows sheep pastures separated by gates and gateways. Always close these gates behind you!

In a few places there are ladders to cross the wall instead of the gates, but in the busiest part between Housesteads Fort and the former Walltown Quarry, you can always pass through the gates without having to cross the ladder.

Maps of the best hiking sections

If you don't have a few days and want to avoid the not-so-fun sections where Hadrian's Wall is not well preserved, head straight for the central part.

Here you have a choice of several sections of varying length.

• Housesteads Roman Fort - Vindolanda: a popular route between the two largest Roman fortresses, with AD122 bus stops at either end.
  • 8 km
  • Route map
• Housesteads Roman Fort - Walltown: the most common route follows the most beautiful part of Hadrian's Wall, with AD122 bus stops at both ends
  • 15 km
  • Route map
• Chesters Roman Fort - Walltown: the longest single day route along the whole central part of Hadrian's Wall, the first part between Chesters and Housesteads is near the main road, there are AD122 bus stops at both ends
  • 29 km
  • Route map

Forts and museums along the route

In several places - just in the most popular middle part of the route - you will find relatively well-preserved excavations of 4 large forts and many more small ones.

• Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - located near the village of Walwick and can be reached by bus line AD122
  • Daily 10am-5pm
  • Admission paid at 12 gbp on the door or 10 gbp if purchased online
  • english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chesters-roman-fort-and-museum
• Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum - a large fort in one of the prettiest parts of the Wall and a popular starting point for tours, accessible by bus AD122
  • Daily 10am-5pm
  • Admission 14 gbp at the door or 11,50 gbp when purchased online
  • english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/housesteads-roman-fort-hadrians-wall
• Vindolanda - the largest of the forts lies about 3km south of the central part of Hadrian's Wall and is accessible by bus AD122. If you walk along the wall, expect at least an extra 1 hour of walking (by road) to reach this fortress, or you can shorten your journey, but you will miss out on one of the most beautiful parts of Hadrian's Wall.
  • Daily 9:30-17:30
  • Admission 15 gbp at the door or 13,50 gbp when purchased online
    • Discounted admission also available to the Roman Army Museum from 18 gbp online or 20 gbp on site
  • vindolanda.com/tickets
• Roman Army Museum - located approximately 250 metres from the former Walltown Quarry, where the route often starts or finishes and is accessible by the AD122 bus service
  • Daily 9:30am-5:30pm
  • Admission is 10 gbp on the door or 9 gbp when purchased online
    • Discounted admission also available to Fort Vindolanda from 18 gbp online or 20 gbp on site
  • vindolanda.com/tickets
• Birdoswald Roman Fort and Museum - a small fort and museum near the village of Gilsland already out of the main tourist stream, accessible by bus 681 (only twice daily)
  • Daily 10am-5pm
  • Admission 14 gbp on site or 11,50 gbp if purchased online
  • english-heritage.org.uk/birdoswald-roman-fort-hadrians-wall

Transport to Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall is easily accessible by car, but can also be reached by public transport.

Driving and parking

Along Hadrian's Wall there is a well-marked road, the B6318, with plenty of parking, some of which is right next to the wall.

All car parks are pay and display. You pay the parking fee via a machine, which is always located in the car park and can only be paid by card.

Prices are around 2 gbp for 2 hours and 5 gbp for the whole day.

Public transport

The central part of Hadrian's Wall between Walwick and Greenhead is also relatively easy to reach by public transport.

Trains run from both Newcastle and Carlisle within about 5km of Hadrian's Wall, followed by the AD122 tourist bus service. This will take you directly from the train to Hadrian's Wall.

The AD122 bus service connects to the trains at Hexham (closer to Newcastle) and Haltwhistle (closer to Carlisle).

• Trains from Newcastle - trains to Hexham run 1-2 times per hour, continuing on to Haltwhistle and Carlisle on average once per hour
  • ticket prices on the Newcastle to Hexham route are around 4 gbp and on the Newcastle to Haltwhistle route around 6 gbp
  • the cheapest tickets are when purchased online at thetrainline.com 1-7 days before departure
  • journey time Newcastle - Hexham is approximately 40 minutes
• trains from Carlisle - to Haltwhishtle and Hexham run about once an hour
  • ticket prices on the Carlisle - Haltwhistle route are around 5 gbp and on the Carlisle - Hexham route around 8 gbp
  • the cheapest tickets are when purchased online at thetrainline.com 1-7 days before departure
  • journey time Newcastle - Hexham is approximately 30 minutes

Buy your ticket at thetrainline.com

The AD122 bus runs daily at an interval of 120 minutes.

• Hexham - Housesteads Roman Fort: journey time approx. 35 minutes
• Hexham - Walltown: journey time approx. 75 minutes
• Walltown - Haltwhistle: journey time approx. 15 minutes
• Detailed timetable: gonortheast.co.uk/AD122

Ticket for 1 journey costs 2,50 gbp and can be purchased from the driver with cash or card.

There is also a TNE Day Saver ticket for 7,50 gbp, which is valid on public transport in Newcastle (buses, ferry and tube) throughout the AD122 route, but not on trains from Newcastle to Hexham or Haltwhistle.

However, from Newcastle to Hexham, as well as the train, you can also use the 684 and 685 bus routes (running from Eldon Square Central Bus Station) once an hour, on which the TNE Day Saver ticket is valid. You can buy your ticket from ticket machines at tube stations or on the Go North East mobile app.

To find your bus connection, visit gonortheast.co.uk.

Accommodation at Hadrian's Wall

Many travellers spend a leisurely day at Hadrian's Wall, or take a multi-day walk along the entire Hadrian's Wall Path.

If so, a great option is to stay in one of the many stylish accommodations in the beautiful rural landscape of the wide rolling plains.

Stylish farmhouse accommodation

A great choice are the many farms that have set aside part of their buildings for accommodation too. The rooms are usually very modern with all the amenities.

We would recommend these top rated farms:

• Saughy rigg farm - approx. 3 km north of Hadrian's Wall in the middle of meadows and fields
• Lowtown Cottage - idyllic accommodation about 2 km east of the former Walltown stone quarry

Hotels and hostels

If you prefer more traditional accommodation, choose these hotels:

• The Twiced Brew Inn *** - Hotel near The Sill Education Centre just off the main road (between Hadrian's Wall and Vindolanda Fort)
• The Greenhead Hotel *** - a budget hotel with hostel rooms in the picturesque village of Greenhead near Walltown Quarry

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